The festive season was kick-started for Kidney patients today with a visit by Wales, British Lions and Cardiff Blues star, Leigh Halfpenny to the Kidney Wales Children’s Centre at UHW, Cardiff.

On the first day of a busy Advent for the charity, the wing three quarter visited the Kidney Wales Children’s Centre to talk to the children and deliver advent calendars and presents in advance of the annual Christmas Party at the Park Plaza on Sunday afternoon where over seventy children affected by kidney disease and their families will celebrate Christmas together.

During his visit to the centre, Leigh Halfpenny said:

“This was my first visit to the Centre, but the first of many, I’m sure. It was good to meet the children ahead of the Christmas Party on Sunday. It’s good to be able to give back and to all these brave children, especially at this time of year.”

Speaking of Leigh’s involvement with the charity, Kidney Wales Chairman, Roy J Thomas said:

“Our patron, Gerald Davies’ grandson, recommended Leigh as a patron last summer after meeting him on the Lions tour. We approached him after the South Africa match in July and were delighted when he agreed to work with us and the children.”

The festive season will come to a head for Kidney Wales on Wednesday 8th December as the charity holds its annual Reflections Concert at 7.00 pm at St John the Baptist Church in Cardiff city centre.

2010 has been a bumper year for Kidney Wales a the concert, which is co-organised by Rhian Williams of the BBC, is an opportunity to thank supporters for their efforts throughout the year which have enabled Kidney Wales to fund various projects to improve care and wellbeing of patients across Wales including a £100,000 refurbishment of the Children’s Centre.

The Relections Concert features music from Welsh Soprano sensation, Gwawr Edwards, acclaimed Clarinettist, Rhys Taylor along with festive carols from three leading Cardiff-based choirs, Côrdydd, Côr Merched Canna and Ysgol Pencae School Choir. Readings will be lead by Kidney Wales patron and ITV star, Andrea Benfield of ITV, S4C presenter and kidney transplant recipient Leni Hatcher and many more celebrity supporters will attend including Sarra Elgan and Mari Grug of S4C.

Tickets for the Reflections Concert are free by contacting Kidney Wales on 029 2034 3940 or via email: [email protected]. Donations are welcome at the service.

For more information, case studies or interviews, please contact Tristan Williams on 029 2034 3940 / [email protected]

Attached photos: Leigh with Kidney patient, Dion Evans, 15 from Gelligaer with mum Nicola Evans; The festive season was kick-started for Kidney patients today with a visit by Wales, British Lions and Cardiff Blues star, Leigh Halfpenny to the Kidney Wales Children